I don’t really like to yuck someone elseâs yum, especially when it comes to baby books, which are often beloved for reasons beyond critique.
But hey, this is a personal blog full of opinions, so here goes.
This book is NOT a baby book club pick, unfortunately.
A Surprising Disappointment
I recently picked up On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman at a thrift store. It had been on my list for a while with its glowing reviews, an enchanting cover, and a general âmodern classicâ vibe. But after reading it once with my daughter, I knew it wasnât going to be a keeper. I promptly donated it back.
There were a few things that didnât hit me right. First, I expected a lyrical, flowing story, something quiet and poetic. Instead, it felt oddly choppy and melodramatic. The illustrations were fine, but not as captivating as Iâd hoped.
All Eyes On Me!
What really got to me, though, was the message. The book suggests that the entire world, animals included, basically stopped to celebrate the birth of the baby reader. Itâs all-eyes-on-you, main-character energy, and honestly, it felt a little absurd.
Now, I do believe that every birth is precious: human and animal (and plant too, though I guess you canât really call that birth).
And of course, my daughterâs birth was a magical event for my husband and I. I absolutely hope she grows up feeling loved and supported, and confident in her unique worth.
But I also believe weâd be failing as parents if we teach her that sheâs the only one who matters.
A Missed Message?
Maybe this book is meant more as a familyâs âwelcome to the worldâ kind of message. If so, it just didnât hit the right notes for me. It felt overly grand, and not in a way I found healthy.
I only read it to my daughter once and knew Iâd find it too grating to repeat. She didnât seem especially into the illustrations either, though Iâm not sure why.
Not Sure About That Cover Art Choice…
Tangent: Iâm not trying to deprive her of a story for political reasons, but⌠really? Weâre putting polar bears, the poster animals for climate change victimization, on the cover, doing a celebration dance for more humans?
I’m not anti-baby. The cover art just seems tone-deaf.
I dream of a world where we can have both: polar bears and every other species and happy, healthy human babies, as many as we want, no restrictions. But weâre not going to get there unless we humans figure out how to coexist better with each other and the natural world.
TL;DR
I was less than enchanted.
Psst.. our favorites so far are No Matter What and Sharks Teeth to Tail.
